Better

Isn’t everything better in the spring?  I have a perfect example for you!  This morning I left for work at 7 AM.  Usually my drive takes anywhere from 20-30 minutes.  I start work at 7:30 AM.  Today I arrived at work at 10 AM!!!!  What happened in between you might ask?

The highway was shutdown and I didn’t get the memo until I was past the last exit to get off.  So I put my car in park and…I opened my sunroof while I had my coffee and cliff bar.  I loaded my CD changer full of my favorite music and enjoyed the view!

I would not have been this chill in the winter!

Unfortunately Saturday was not as springy as today, due to the April showers.  However, it was not wasted!  It was a perfect time to play a “local tourist.”  I live close to the Pennsylvania state capitol, but have not been there since about third grade!  Overdue!

Looking out from the capitol steps to river and quaint street.  This is where the chili cookoff takes place during the Kipona festival.  Can you see where my priorities are?  And the beautiful dome.  I can’t believe it’s just for Pennsylvania!

Do you know another thing a rainy weekend day is good for?  A delicious hot dinner!  This weekend the menu included a huge turkey, glazed carrots, and stuffing!

The cashew stuffing was definitely tasty and easy!

Sauté:

1 small onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 cup cashews

2 tablespoons poultry seasoning

Mix:

1 loaf stale bread, chopped

2 eggs beat

1/4 cup milk

Combine:

Sautéed ingredients

Bread mixture

Bake at 350 degrees for ~45 minutes.  Enjoy a toasty warm treat on a damp cool day.  And smile.  It’s spring!

PS – Kayaking was a HUGE success on Friday!  I got in and out without tipping!  Yippy!

What makes you smile despite a day not being ideal?  Is it the weather?  Or a favorite meal?  Maybe a a pet?

Seedy Update

New to the growing flats (empty liter box, under the bed tote, plate and a casserole dish):

Tomatoes:  Beefsteak and Black Cherry

Multicolored chard.  Taste the rainbow!

Onions.  I’m not sure how the seeds will go, but if they are a flop I’ll be purchasing baby bulbs to start later.  But lets not assume it will flop for now and watch the seeds grow!

Celery.  A tough grow from what I’ve read, but worth a shot.  I’m always up for a challenge.

And now the more exciting part, the seeds that have sprouted!  Most of them are coming along right on schedule.

New to the sprouted club is basil.  Just teeny tiny specks, but I wouldn’t miss them.  I carefully inspect my peat pots daily.  The joy of the whole process is seeing the new growth.  It continues to amaze me what comes from a seed.

And here is parsley.  Also quite small, but definitely there.

And the chives are getting tall; they are probably about 2 inches already.

The oregano is really going strong.  Probably the best plant so far.  But it’s not over until it’s over and the other little herbies still have time to catch up.

And last of the first round of plants, the peppers.  Still no sprouts there.  I know they are slow to germinate, but come on.  Throw me a bone sprouty here!  But until then, I’ll be here.  Trying to wait patiently.